Health Controversy: Jenny McCarthy's Prescription for Hot Yoga During Pregnancy

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  Posted by Coug Girl Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:12pm PST

  I understand the undertone of this article, with Jenny McCarthy's activism for Autism, but I highly doubt the hot yoga and pregnancy can cause such an issue. My question is, didn't Jenny McCarthy admit she gained a bunch of weight (over 80 pounds) with her pregnancy and was even a spokesperson for a weight loss company? How is that staying fit during a pregnancy?

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  Posted by Ona Wed Nov 18, 2009 3:29pm PST

  Jenny McCarthy isn't someone that anyone should listen to. She isn't a Dr, and she isn't even educated in science. She's an actress people, they aren't known for intelligence. She spews dangerious advice like she knows what she's talking about. I wait for the day that someone who followed her advice sues her when their un-vaccinated child gets sick. Or now that she is advising a yoga method that is often concidered dangerious by professionals.

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  Posted by Kathy Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:47pm PST

  I agree with Ona.

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  Posted by Holly M Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:51am PST

  My ob told me not to even take too hot of a bath, becuase it raises your body temp and thus raises the temp around your baby.... which could cause birth defects. He said nothing over 98 degrees. I would imagine exercising in a room that is 100 degrees or more would have the same effect. If it were me I would switch to normal yoga for those 9 months!

  Oh and Ona is right... I really hope no one is actually taking medical advise from an actress!

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  Posted by Mary Thu Nov 19, 2009 12:52pm PST

  I don't normally comment on here, but I felt maybe I should for this one. I am a personal trainer and I know a bit about training pregnant women. As they said, it's extremely important to maintain an active lifestyle while you are pregnant (provided you were already doing so for at least six months before conception). But a pregnant woman always has to be careful to avoid overheating even if it means lowering the intensity of workouts. While yoga is great for everyone including expectant mothers, hot yoga or bikrim yoga is extremely dangerous for the fetus. Pregnant women are already more prone to overheating under normal circumstances, but in a room that's 100 degress or higher, the risk is significantly increased. If Mom overheats, Baby overheats. And it actually takes even longer for the baby's temperature to return to normal than it does for the mother's. As a result, the baby is at a much higher risk of birth defects. So no matter how convinced Jenny is that she knows what she's talking about, she doesn't have a clue, so don't listen to her.

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  Posted by SCSmith79 Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:16pm PST

  I practiced hot yoga until about 4 1/2 months pregnant, while in yoga teacher training - all with the full blessing of my OB. These yoga rooms have fans circulating the air - which as it flows over the skin, dries sweat and helps maintain your body temperature. Common sense is the key - hydrate well, before, during and after the class. If you get lightheaded or start to feel overheated, leave the room, and above all else, listen to your body. I stopped, not because of the heat, but because I was doing so many things in life I was tiring myself out. follow the advice of your OB

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